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Instructors

These instructors are participating on at least one day of one date of this program.
Please note that changes may occur.

Jim Manson

In 1980, Dr. Jim Manson began his teaching career in Jamaica before returning to his native Canada, where he taught in the Quebec high school system for the next several years. He then served as a history professor at Concordia, McGill and Bishops Universities. Dr. Manson has been a Road Scholar instructor since 1992, and has journeyed by train, boat and coach with participants during numerous learning adventures across Canada.

John Atkin

John Atkin is an author, historian and heritage advocate who has been fascinated with Vancouver since moving to the city over 30 years ago. He if the co-founder of the Heritage Vancouver Society, has contributed to a documentary on the city, and has appeared regularly on television and radio, including CBC Television and CTV’s Canada AM. John is the author of four books on Vancouver, including “Strathcona: Vancouver’s First Neighborhood,” and is an editor for the B.C. Historical Federation.

Bruce Bell

Bruce Bell — journalist, author, playwright, actor and curator — is considered Toronto’s most famous historian and was named the Official Historian of St. Lawrence Hall by the city of Toronto. An award-winning playwright, he also published “Amazing Tales of St. Lawrence Neighbourhood” and “TORONTO: A Pictorial Celebration.” Bruce’s mission is to tell Toronto’s history through his writings and lectures, including his sold-out shows at Toronto’s famed Winter Garden Theatre.

Kirsten Schmitten

Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.

Ken Purvis

Ken Purvis is the senior program officer at Historic Fort York, a municipal operated War of 1812 Museum featuring some of the oldest buildings in the city of Toronto. Ken is involved in all aspects of the museum’s public programs, including research and program design, training the Fort’s staff and delivering, lectures and educational programs for the general public. He has worked in the museum field for over 20 years, but his chief interest is in the area of music. Combining these two interests, he has performed on fife, drum, wooden flute, bagpipes, and even the serpent — an ancient musical wind instrument related to the modern tuba — at special events all over North America and Europe. He has also delivered lectures on military music at the University of Toronto and the Royal Canadian Military Institute. Most recently, Mr. Purvis organized and trained an authentic Napoleonic French Military Band for the 200th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase in New Orleans in December of 2003.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!